The European Commission pledged €1.8 billion ($1.9 billion) in economic aid for Moldova on Thursday ahead of a crunch referendum vote on EU membership. “Europe stands firmly by Moldova’s side,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on a visit to Chișinău to announce the package. Moldova heads to the polls on October 20 for a referendum on joining the European Union. The vote in one of the poorest countries in Europe is being closely-watched amid charges of Russian election interference. A presidential election in which pro-Western President Maia Sandu is seeking a second term…